Children from Taoyuan City Enjoyed a Sponsored Trip to DDM
As part of a commitment to care and educate, Dharma Drum Mountain Social Welfare and Charity Foundation (DDMSWCF) have, for the past 14 years, granted much-needed scholarships to students in underprivileged families. Apart from financial assistance, DDM also organizes field trips and life education, with the aim to uplift the character of humanity and in the hope that it will encourage students to give back to society in the future.
On November 13, four hundred and forty (440) students and their families from Tao Yuan, Chung Li, and Hsin Chu Province, including the recipient of the President Education Award, Hsu Gan-Fan, attended the DDM World Center for Buddhist Education (DDMWCBE) to attend the scholarship award ceremony. During the trip, family members took the opportunity to enjoy the tranquil surrounds of DDM, and to experience how the environment is interconnected to our learning.
Mrs Hsieh, the mother of an attendee, believes that learning exists beyond the classroom walls. She sees the importance of promoting character development and broadening an individual’s worldview. She is grateful to DDM for its financial assistance towards her two children and for hosting a range of character-building activities through the years. Those activities have boosted her children’s self-confidence and have taught them to appreciate the value of compassion and kindness.
DDM has a long-term commitment to provide material relief to financially disadvantaged families and enable children to attain a meaningful education. Recipients of DDM’s scholarships range from primary school through to university age. Sisters Yin-Ru and Wan-Ying, attending university and high school respectively, are touched by the kindness of DDM. DDM’s assistance throughout the years has not only eased the financial constraints of their family, but has motivated them to pursue excellence in their academic studies. They hope to be able to one day take their mother on an overseas trip, to repay her for all her love and care for them.
Tsai Yia-Jun from Chungli said DDM’s subsidies made her recognize kindness and wish to extend that kindness to other people. She is a sophomore in high school and regularly volunteers in her local community. She believes it does not matter how significant the work is – more important is our attitudes towards helping others.
Hsu Gan-Fan, a first time recipient of the scholarship, attended DDM with his mother and siblings. Accompanying him was his older brother, who donated his kidney to Gan-Fan and shares a special bond with his little brother. He found DDM to be very serene and calming, and felt great joy from witnessing the award ceremony today.
Before awarding scholarships at the ceremony, the Vice Abbot, Venerable Guo Hui, said he also was only able to complete his studies in Japan owing to assistance of scholarships, and encouraged the scholarship recipients be mindful of the value of the scholarships. Venerable Chang Suiencouraged students not to compare themselves with others, but to aspire to benefit society.
DDMSWCF said owing to the charity of people from all walks of life, they can help thousands of students whose families are in need of financial support realize their dreams of completing their studies. DDMSWCF welcomes donations from individuals, groups, or corporations to help these outstanding students to achieve their goals and make their own contributions to society.
(Translated by Tom Hsieh/Edited by DDM Australia Editing Team)